Thal Ranch is committed to being environmentally and ecologically responsible. Managing members of the ranch are Gayla and John Thal. Robert Caldarella is our Ranch Foreman. Robert books and guides the hunts. We are located in northern New Mexico in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Our property, as you can see from the many photos, is a mixture of rugged hills, lakes, natural springs, sagebrush flats combined with lots of tree cover which is the perfect habitat for elk and for an exciting elk hunt.

[Bow Hunt Trophy]

The Ranch is unique because of the combination of rugged country in close proximity to our irrigated fields–characteristics that attract the elk. Not only do our elk herds enjoy our high altitude ranch but you will too!

Our spring is bringing more moisture than normal and we are hoping for lots of grass. With our hay fields, our herds should be well fed and looking forward to their rut. When those bull elk begin to bugle we are hearing some of the last truly wild sounds left for us to enjoy.

[Bow Hunt Trophy]

When fall arrives and the trees are in full color we hope for a very active Rut.

Our permits for your elk hunt will normally be for 5 days. Guided elk hunts are available. Whether you choose guided or not, our past harvests have been outstanding. Both rifle and bow have yielded magnificent trophies.

Our property is a beautiful place to hunt and your accommodations are first class. We are proud of the fact that we have returning hunters every year. We are looking forward to your successful hunt. Our Rifle and Bow permits run from September 1st to December 15th. Please call Robert Caldarella at 915 490-8863 for details. If you are looking for a Trophy Bull Elk to be proud of the rest of your life and you want to hunt on one of the finest private ranches in Northern New Mexico, come to Thal Ranch.

One of the last truly wild sounds heard in the Rocky Mountains today is the spine-tingling bugle of the bull elk. The sound of a big bull elk’s bugle in the wild is unlike any other sound. The bugle of a bull elk is a never forgotten sound out here in the Rocky Mountains.

The successful elk hunter needs to understand the animal they are after. They need to know the places that they go and when they will go there. Robert Caldarella understands where the bulls will be and where they come to feed in the early mornings and late afternoons.

See the Reservations page for relevant information on booking a hunt with us!

Prize from the 2017 Bow Hunt of Elk at the Thal Ranch

2017 Bow Hunt of Elk at the Thal Ranch

2017 Bow Hunt on Thal Ranch

Testimony From a Bow Hunter

Septtember 28th

Hi Mrs. Thal. Greetings from Texas. We made it back in a single day of driving. We left the ranch Sunday at 5:30am and I arrived home at 8:30pm that night. 14 hours in not back considering we stopped for gas 4 times.

We had a wonderful time!!! I still can’t believe how beautiful the ranch is….I really miss it. The hunting was phenomenal and the quality of elk we saw was amazing. My brother and I would like to re-book for next year. If you want to send us paperwork that would be great and we will send you a deposit. My Dad had a great time and wants to come back again too. He loved being in that country.

We had a pleasure meeting and talking with you and your husband. Loved the “Bare Story”…. hahaThe apple pie was great….my brother said it was probably better than our grandmother’s pie!

I still have a little hope the some of the hunters coming in might find the bull I shot. I felt sick about it but I realize that is a part of hunting. I would love any updates that you get from the hunters coming in and wish them luck.